Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What's the best used Macbook pro for durability and long lasting

  • 2008

    Votes: 2 20.0%
  • 2011

    Votes: 8 80.0%

  • Total voters
    10

QueenShakti

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 22, 2016
3
0
Back in 2007, I bought my first Mac Book Pro. Finally my child destroyed it by throwing a drink on the keyboard....
I replaced it with a used 2008 model. Only 1 year later, the video card has blown on this computer.

What is the best Macbook Pro to buy? Used.

I have 2 kids, although they don't use the computer, we do share the house. LOL. So the more sturdy the computer is, the better. My old 2007 model was dropped several times and always survived.

Thanks
 

khabboub

macrumors member
Mar 30, 2014
51
4
Tampa
get the late 2013 macbook pro or later.

you'll get retina display, and decent graphics (especially if you get the 15 inch with dgpu). you'll also get super fast SSD storage.
 

T5BRICK

macrumors G3
Aug 3, 2006
8,313
2,387
Oregon
I'd avoid any 2008 MBPs and all of the 15/17" 2011 MBPs.

What do you plan on using the computer for?
 

QueenShakti

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 22, 2016
3
0
I'd avoid any 2008 MBPs and all of the 15/17" 2011 MBPs.

What do you plan on using the computer for?
Honestly, just the internet and photos. I take photos and do a terrible job editing them for a yearly family album.
[doublepost=1467838405][/doublepost]What do you think of this one???

Macbookpro9,2 ... A1278 ---- 2.5 GHz i5 "Ivy Bridge" ---- 4G RAM 1333 MHz DDR3 ---- 500G hard drive ---- battery is excellent with really strong charge ---- Intel HD 4000 w/ 1G video memory ---- 13" LED glossy screen @ 1440 x 900 resolution ---- DVD-R (runs PERFECTLY)
 

jerryk

macrumors 604
Nov 3, 2011
7,418
4,207
SF Bay Area
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

They are dime a dozen and you can buy one for ~$500.

I was thinking the same thing. As long as you can handle the extra weight(1lb), bulk(1/2 inch thicker), and lower res screen these things are a bargain. Get an SSD and max out the memory to 16 GB and the system will scream.

But they are not kid-proof. A drop or water will damage the unit, perhaps beyond economic repair.
 

T5BRICK

macrumors G3
Aug 3, 2006
8,313
2,387
Oregon
Honestly, just the internet and photos. I take photos and do a terrible job editing them for a yearly family album.
[doublepost=1467838405][/doublepost]What do you think of this one???

Macbookpro9,2 ... A1278 ---- 2.5 GHz i5 "Ivy Bridge" ---- 4G RAM 1333 MHz DDR3 ---- 500G hard drive ---- battery is excellent with really strong charge ---- Intel HD 4000 w/ 1G video memory ---- 13" LED glossy screen @ 1440 x 900 resolution ---- DVD-R (runs PERFECTLY)

That one will suit your needs just fine. In fact, it's the "MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)" that both tubeexperience and jerryk suggested.
 

MacInTO

macrumors 65816
Apr 25, 2005
1,212
229
Canada, eh!
I'd go with a 2012. If it's a 13", the 2.5MHz machines are plentiful. I got one for $450 recently. There are also some faster ones with 2.9 MHz i7 (dual core) chip that are fast, but they cost more and are harder to find used.

The RAM and HD are also user-replaceable so it's good value when you want to upgrade.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GoldfishRT

QueenShakti

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 22, 2016
3
0
Any idea if I can hook my old MacPro up to an IBM compatable screen???

Its only the Video Card that has blown in my old model. But I was told that is very expensive to repair.
 

bhayes444

macrumors 6502a
Jul 13, 2013
772
292
As tubeexperience suggested, if you can find a 2012 13" for $500 that would be a good deal. Alternatively, you might consider a new MacBook Air 13". There have been some deals lately for the base model machine around $800. Only 128GB of storage though...

With a blown video card you wouldn't be able to hook up the computer to an external screen. Yes, to repair it would be expensive for how old the machine is. Besides taking it to a repair shop, who might be able to just replace the chip, the general repair method is replacing the logic board. Again, just too much for the age of the machine.
 

T5BRICK

macrumors G3
Aug 3, 2006
8,313
2,387
Oregon
Any idea if I can hook my old MacPro up to an IBM compatable screen???

You can hook up most displays to your Mac Pro OR MacBook Pro(which I think is what you're actually asking about).

Its only the Video Card that has blown in my old model. But I was told that is very expensive to repair.

But if your video card is shot, it won't work with an internal or external display. The video card is required to use either.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.